32 Gift Ideas for the RV Owner in Your Life
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Alyssa Padgett is the author of the best-selling book, A Beginner’s Guide to Living in an RV. She loves all things #RVlife and travels full-time around the globe with her family of four.
Wondering what to give as a Christmas present or retirement gift for an RV owner you know? It can be tough to find something affordable that RV owners want—especially if they live in their RV full time and don’t have a lot of extra space!
This list of gift ideas is based on comments I’ve heard from other people who live or camp in RVs, plus my own experience. There’s something on this list sure to please even someone who seems to not need anything!
Gift Ideas for RVers: For Foodies
Does your camping friend love to cook? These travel-friendly kitchen gadgets may be the perfect gift!
1. Spice tins
I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be able to use a magnetic spice tin set like this one. The metal panel that comes with it can be mounted on a wall or cabinet door. Or the magnetic tins can be stuck to a range hood or refrigerator!
- EASY ORGANIZATION - Wall mounted base for hanging magnetic spice containers. Make your kitchen look organized and save space with a magnetic spice rack. Perfect gift for a foodie or chef
This is a great gift for those who love to cook while they camp or those who just love to stay organized!
2. An Instant Pot or Instant Pot cookbook
This 7-in-1 electric cooking device may hold the record for the most popular kitchen appliance in the RV community. We even see people ripping out their RV oven and replacing it with a multi-function cooker like this!
If your friend or family member already has one, perhaps an Instant Pot cookbook would make a good gift.
- 7-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer.
3. A Camping Cookbook
For the true outdoorsman who loves to cook over an open fire, this camping cookbook is full of camping tips and recipe ideas. It covers the basics like roasted sausages and chili, and less traditional camping recipes like homemade granola bars, salad dressings, and even scallops and shrimp.
Your camper may particularly love the section on hot toddies and other camping cocktails!
- Hardcover Book
4. Dutch Oven Holder
To truly cook outside over an open fire, you’ll need a dutch oven holder to set over the flames!
- 💪STURDY & HEAVY DUTY - Three-leg heavy duty and sturdy design ensures this dutch oven tripod’s stability. Diliboz camping tripod weights around 3 lb and can hold up to 100 lb weight. It’s great for all your campfire cooking needs.
5. Edible presents
You can’t go wrong with food (as long as you are aware of any allergies or special diets).
But my favorite gifts to receive are the ones I can consume: homemade snacks and baked goods, preserves, cheeses, wine…
- AN IRRESISTABLE ALL TIME FAVORITE: Share this irresistible gift tower with friends, family and business associates.
This is a particularly good gift if you know of a particular type of food or drink a person loves. My family knows I love wine and as thoughtful as the corkscrews, cork holders, and wine caps are, a nice bottle of wine would be even more appreciated! Edible presents may be harder to return, but they are often quickly enjoyed!
6. Grill
I got this Blackstone Griddle as a gift a few years back and have loved it! It can cook so much more than a typical grill and it stores easily in the RV.
- GRIDDLE ON THE GO: Blackstone 17 inch tabletop griddle is the perfect portable cooking station for your next camping, hunting or tailgating adventure. It is lightweight, carry friendly and always ready to roll – no prep required!
For the Outdoor Lovers
Gifts for campers who love to be outside!
7. Headlamp
In addition to being helpful, headlamps often get lost! I cannot recall how many headlamps my husband has lost over the years. This is a great small gift or stocking stuffer.
- Illuminate Your World: The ultimate outdoor companion, our head lamp features eight powerful LED lights that provide up to 18000 lumens max, ensuring that you can see everything around you clearly, whether you're exploring caves, running in the dark, camping under the stars, or enjoying other outdoor activities.
8. A bird feeder
Even people who already have bird feeders can usually find enough space to hang one more. A hummingbird feeder is ideal for people who RV in warmer climates, or you could get a songbird feeder for people who RV through the winter. I hang my bird feeders on the outside of my RV using these hooks, in case you want to include a set.
This handblown glass feeder comes in multiple different colors:
- Unique Christmas Gifts - Best choices as gift for your parents, friends, neighbors and loved ones. Bird watching gifts for people who love birds and gardening. Gifts for Anniversary, Birthday, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
9. Camping Chairs
New camping chairs are a great gift idea for someone new to RVing who may not have any yet!
- Cozy design with convenient armrest cooler for leisurely lounging
You can shop camping chairs in multiple styles here.
10. National Park Guide
National Geographic regularly updates its guide to the national parks with new information. With new national parks being opened every couple of years, this would be a good gift idea even if the RVer in your life already has one!
- National Geographic (Author)
11. Outdoor Camping Rug
This is a gift guide for RVers classic. Outdoor rugs can get soiled, ruined, or just go out of style. This is a gift idea that I, as an RVer, have been given before and loved!
- RV OUTDOOR RUGS: This Reversible RV Patio Mat with an appealing Diamond Motif is made of weather-resistant polypropylene that's UV-stabilized to prevent fading.
12. Inflatable Kayak
Kayaking on lakes, rivers, and streams around the country are some of my fondest camping memories! An inflatable kayak for two is perfect for a couple who loves to camp.
- ✔ SUPER-STRONG – SuperStrong enhanced molecular formulation PVC provides superior strength and durability, ensuring high impact and abrasion resistance
The RV Life Enthusiast
Is this RV an adventure vehicle or more of a home on wheels? Many campers treat their RV like their home away from home.
These are gift ideas for those campers who are obsessed with RV life!
13. The ultimate adhesive wall-hanging kit
A gift basket with Command hooks, Command strips, Velcro, and my favorite acrylic double-sided tape would be useful for anyone decorating their RV!
- HOLDS UP TO 2 POUNDS: One package of the Command Clear Medium Wire Toggle Hooks includes 6 wall hooks and 8 adhesive strips and a metal wire toggle feature for versatile hanging; each adhesive wall hook can hold up to 2 pounds
14. An Oxygenics shower head
Give the gift of a hotter, higher-pressure shower. Find out if they already have this first. If they don’t, you can thank me later. Most RVs come with poor-quality showerheads, making this an especially thoughtful gift!
- 5 spray settings adjust coverage from wide coverage to soothing massage to focused spray
15. Personalized camper-themed gifts
If you’re looking for something more personal, how about something you can have made custom? Check out these options for a doormat, a can cooler, or a welcome sign.
16. Holiday throw pillow covers
Those who RV year-round often don’t have much room for storing seasonal decor, so throw pillows with changeable covers are a space-efficient way to decorate. How about buying a set of standard size throw pillows along with some covers for their favorite time of year?
A set like this is perfect for the RVer who wants to embrace every holiday:
- What You Will Get: the package includes 12 pieces of holiday patterns pillow case (pillow inserts are not included), including 4 pieces of holiday pillow covers, 4 pieces of Thanksgiving pillow covers, and 4 pieces of Christmas pillow covers, so that you can change them according to the festivals
17. Travel Sized Games
Board games take up quite a bit of space, but card games and travel-sized versions can be stored easily in a camper. One card game that was a favorite in my family that many people haven’t heard of is a game called Set. It’s simple enough for kids to play, but challenging enough for adults to enjoy!
- NEVER BE BORED—Classic, award-winning game that is fun to play over and over again—over 3 million copies sold!
18. Foldable Step Stool
Ever useful, a step stool that can be easily stored is even better!
- HIGHLY DURABLE: This kids' stool is incredibly durable, designed to withstand up to 300 pounds of weight, ensuring it will last longer.
19. Where We’ve Visited Sticker Set
Are you even an RVer if you don’t have a state sticker set like this?! All jokes aside, this is a great small gift for travelers!
- TRACK YOUR ROADTRIP - Earn new state stickers every time your adventure takes you to a new state! This decal sticker set is great to track your travel and show off where you've visited.
20. A New RV Mattress
Okay this would be odd to gift a friend. But if it’s a close family member who is living or traveling frequently in their RV, a new mattress would be an amazing gift!
Check out our guide to buying an RV mattress for details.
21. RV Hacks Book
This illustrated book is full of great ideas for RV life. Written by many full-time travelers, even seasoned campers will learn something new.
- Bennett, Marc (Author)
The Crafter or Gardener
22. A Cross Stitch Kit
Cross stitch is a relaxing hobby perfect for sitting around the campfire or passing time on a rainy day. It doesn’t take up much space, and when the craft is complete, it can become wall decor for the person’s camper!
This kit would be simple enough for a beginner and cute for someone who already enjoys cross-stitching:
- Includes presorted cotton cross stitch thread, 4Wood embroidery hoop, 14 count white aida, stitching needle, and instructions
23. A mobile gardening kit
Do you know an RV owner with a green thumb? He or she might enjoy an indoor herb garden like this one.
Or if that person generally stays in the same place for longer periods of time, maybe they would enjoy some grow bags and seeds for a container garden.
- Grow Fresh Herbs and Vegetables Indoors: energy-efficient LED grow lights ensure your plants thrive no matter the weather.
For more mobile garden gift ideas, take a look at my blog post about growing plants while living in an RV.
For the Gear Junkie
We all have friends in our lives who just love new gear. They may think one of these options is the perfect gift!
24. Compressible Hiking and Travel Backpack
This travel backpack is fully compressible so it doesn’t take up any extra room in the RV. The lightweight, sturdy material can heft your laptop through an airport or haul your camping gear and snacks up a mountainside.
- PACKABLE: This daypack is collapsible, foldable, and packable. Great to bring along on vacations to use as your daily camera bag. Simply fold up daybag and toss into your suitcase or carry on luggage and use it at your destination. Packs up small but holds everything you need!
25. Lightweight iPhone Projector
Don’t love the small TV on your RV? Wish you had a smart TV?
A small projector may be the perfect solution for watching movies in the RV. This projector can fit in the palm of your hand and streams from your phone.
A friend of mine uses this exact model to project movies for his kids on the side of his travel trailer.
- [Smallest HD Projector]: Elephas mini projector is designed with 2023 new upgraded technology, comparable to the size of a smart phone, you can easily hold it in your hand. This HD projector compatible with the iOS/Android/Windows.
26. 4K Camera
This lightweight and surprisingly affordable 4K camera is perfect for travelers and families who don’t want to miss a second of their adventures. With video and photo abilities, this is a great starter camera.
- 🎬𝐇𝐃 𝟒𝐊 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: The digital camera can shoot 4K HD video smoothly, support time-lapse and slow motion functions, providing you with a rich experience for recording vlogs. Video pause feature helps save editing time and memory. In addition, the digital camera for photography can be used as a webcam, you can video chat with family or friends as well as live on YouTube,Facebook,Twitter. Perfect for teens to take to summer camp or school to record life.
27. Cord Organizer
With great gear comes a massive number of cords. Help keep them organized with a simple cord organizer like this:
- High Quality:Construction of heavy-duty, durable and water repellent nylon molded case with elegant design protects your item from scratches, dust and accidental dropping
Check out more organization options for RVers in this blog post!
28. Cell Booster
Perfect for digital nomads or remote workers, a cell booster may be just the thing an RVer needs to work while traveling.
- 【Ready for 5G】- The booster is designed for the largest cell carriers - Verizon and AT&T, boosts 4G LTE and 5G signal for all cellular devices operating on band 12, band 13 and band 17. Note: The booster only supports 5G band that largely deployed in current bands 12, 17 and 13 by Dynamic Spectrum Sharing by carriers. If you need a 5G cell booster, please ensure that you have a 5G phone and your carrier has deployed 5G in the 4G band of 12,13 and 17 before purchase.
29. Bluetooth Speaker and Sound Machine
If you travel with kids, a sound machine may be a must-have in the RV. I love this sound machine and Bluetooth speaker combo! It’s tiny and has great sound quality. Plus after years of hearing the loud A/C blowing in my RV, a sound machine is perfect for quiet boondocking nights!
- [Masks Noise] Soothing sounds that cancel out distracting sounds. It can help improve sleep, focus, privacy, and relaxation. Suitable for any age, anywhere, and any time of day.
For the Environmentalist
For some, RVing is a chance to reconnect with nature and make steps toward leaving a smaller footprint. Here are a few gift ideas for the environmentalist RVer.
30. Shampoo Bar
Eliminating plastic from the home and from landfills, shampoo bars are growing in popularity. I’ve tried a few and enjoyed them for travel. They are lightweight, easy to use, and last about as long as a traditional bottle of shampoo.
- Whole Blends Restoring Shampoo Bar- Full of care for your hair, free of plastic packaging for the planet - 100 percent recyclable cardboard
31. Laundry Sheets
Laundry detergent probably isn’t high on anyone’s Christmas list. But for someone who cares about climate change issues, they would probably love these environmentally friendly, plastic-free laundry sheets. I’ve personally used them for years and love them!
- Your clothes will love sheets - we made this liquid free detergent sheet to soften and reduce wrinkles and eliminate odors, stains, and dirt. Our high efficiency laundry detergent sheet is ideal for everyday laundry cleaning, including cottons, linens, blends, and durable synthetics. It's also safe for whites and all colors, and you can use it in hot, cold, hard, or soft water. Great for the earth.
32. Digital books
Digital books are a lot lighter for bookworms to carry on the road. I have a Kindle Paperwhite that I’ve loved for years. I don’t need an e-reader to do anything fancy, but I do appreciate the backlight for reading at night. Someone who already has a Kindle might appreciate a subscription to Kindle Unlimited. This Kindle library has thousands of books you can read for free with your membership.
- Kindle Paperwhite – Now with a 6.8” display and thinner borders, adjustable warm light, up to 10 weeks of battery life, and 20% faster page turns.
I am also a big fan of Audible. I’ve probably listened to more books than I have read on my Kindle. I also like the Whispersync feature, which lets me read a book on my Kindle where I left off listening on Audible. You can gift three-month, six-month, or 1-year subscriptions to Audible (which equates to three, six, or twelve audiobooks).
Or you can pair your Kindle with your love of audiobooks in the Kindle Oasis. It’s waterproof and lets you listen to Audible books on the device as you read along. (Plus it’s less expensive than a Paperwhite!)
- Now available in Graphite or Champagne Gold.
Search Gift Guides on Amazon
Did you know you can search Amazon for your friends’ publicly viewable wish lists? This can be a good way to buy something they want without having to ask what they want.
Or you can’t decide on what to get, I guarantee you any RV owner will be thrilled to get an Amazon gift card. They can use to buy whatever they want or need: RV equipment, Kindle books, clothes that fit… You can even purchase one in a cute box, inside a greeting card, or send one via email (great for last-minute gifts!).
17 More RV Must-Haves
There are some things RVers really need for their RV. From sewer hoses to the right kind of toilet deodorant, shop this list of RV must-haves for products for the RV.
For Lovers of Unique Camping
Give the gift of unforgettable experiences with a membership to Harvest Hosts! This exclusive program opens doors to over 4,000 wineries, farms, breweries, museums, and unique attractions across the country. RVers can enjoy unlimited overnight stays while immersing themselves in local culture and hospitality.
First year 30% off for new Members only, offer expires 01/12/24.
Harvest Hosts is our favorite RVing membership and the one we use (and recommend) most!
Gift Ideas for RVers
These 32 ideas should help you get your shopping juices flowing. For easy shopping, check out the list of gift ideas directly on Amazon.
I love the spice tins…I have them in my camper and used my Cricut to make custom labels. You can see that here: https://homeiswherewetakeit.com/rv-storage-ideas/. I also love Command hooks. I’m sure someone might feel funny giving these, but trust me…RVers would LOVE to receive them! There’s never a time you DON’T need them! Same thing with Amazon cards, you can get everything under the sun on Amazon! Thanks for this great list, Ashley!